Envelope machine



Dec. 6, 1938.

A. N.OVICK ENVELOPE MACH INE Original Filed Aug. 5, 1951 6 Shets-Sheet 1 IN VENT OR flbra/mmA/a v/ck,

Q, av-M ATTORNEYS Dec. 6, 1938. A. NOVICK ENVELOPE MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Aug. 5, 1931 INVENTOR Abraham Nov/ck. BY

ATTORNEYS Dec. 6, 1938.

A.NOWCK ENVELOPE MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 3, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Dec. 6, 1938. A. NOVICK ENVELOPE MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 3, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VENTOR flbrahamA/awtk.

A TTORNEY5 Dec. 6, 1938. A. NOVICK 2,139,514

ENVELOPE MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 5, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Abra/2am //o v/ck.

A TTORNE Y5 Dec. 6; 1938. A. NOVICK 2,139,514

ENVELOPE MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 3, 1931 '6 Shets-Sheet 6 INVENTOI? Abra/2am Nov/ck. v k a, 9A

ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 6, 193a UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE Abraham Novlck Flushing, N. 1., assignmto F. L. Smithe Machine 00., Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application August a, 1931, Serial No. 554,704 Renewed November 13, 1931' 10 Claims, 7 (CI. 93-62) This invention relates to envelope making machinery, and more particularly to machinery 10 making envelopes of the open end type.

a It is an object of the invention to provide a machine for the above-stated purpose which will be compactly arranged, and therefore economical in its consumption of factory space.

To the above end it is a feature of the invention that the machine comprises an outgoing low speed stretch in which the sealing or top flaps of envelope blanks are fanned out, gummed, and dried. and a return high speed stretch in which the side and bottom flaps are folded and sealed, and thesealing flapis folded. The low speed 4 l5 and high speed stretches extend continuously in opposite directions one above the other.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings forming part of this specification:

Figure l is a diagrammatic, side elevation of the introductory end of the machine, a portion of the delivery end of the machine being, shown, also;

Fi ure 2 is a bottom, plan view of a series of blanks as they appear when approaching and passing the fan-out gummer;

Figure 3 is a similar view of the blanks on the drier; r

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1, illustrating a section of the machine adjoining that of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic, plan view of some of the mechanism illustrated in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a sectional, side elevation, similar to Figures 1 and 4, and illustrating a section of the machine adjoining that of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic, plan View, partially illustrating the mechanism of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a view in side elevation, showing a section of the machine which adjoins that of Figure 6; V

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic, plan view of the mechanism illustrated in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a view in side elevation, illustratinga section of the machine adjoining that of Figure 8;

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic, plan view, illustrating a portion of the mechanism of Figure 10;

If Figures 1, 4, 6, 8 and 10 are laid end to end in the order named at the lines A--A, B--B, 0-0 and D-D, the machine is seen in its entirety in side elevation;

Figure 12 is a view in side elevation of a modipick up the blanks as they are released by the 11y fled form of mechanism substitutable for that ol Figure 10;

Figure 13 is a transverse, sectional view on the line l3--l3 of Figure 9, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Figure 14 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view taken on the line "-14 of Figure 7, looking in the direction of the arrows.

In Figure 1 disclosure is made of a fan-out feeder of the type disclosed in Letters Patent of m the United States No. 1,385,468, granted to Charles F, Pflanze on July 26, 1921. This feeder comprises a cylinder I having friction blocks 2 set therein and eflective at each revolution of the cylinder to take the topmost blank of! the top of ll a stack of blanks situated on a shelf 3. The blanks are delivered to a slow speed conveyor 4, are conducted by it with their lower trailing margins (which represent the top or sealing flaps) exposed for gumming, and are delivered to a iantr out gummer 5 which comprises a feed roller t and a gum applying element or box 1. From the gummer the blanks are delivered onto a drying conveyor 8 which may be of the kind disclosed in .my prior Patent No. 1,807,367, dated January 2, we

1931, for Method of and machine for making envelopes. The conveyor 6 carries the blanks forward a little faster than the conveyor 4 and the gummer 5, and hence spaces the blanks out a little more, as seen in Figure 3. The blanks are an carried forward at slow speed by the conveyor fl ing a segment ii and. an opposed roller It which an spaces them in non-overlapping relation. A conveyor i301, composed of a pair of chains it having pusher pins ll thereomnms in overlapping relation tothe feeding couple I2, l3 and act to feeding couple. This finger conveyor also realigns the blanks and re-times them accurately preparatory to the subsequent operations which are to be performed in the high speed return stretch of the machine. The conveyor Ito. dem livers the blanks to a feeding couple. comprising a segment l5 and a cooperative roller l6, and the blanks pass thence through a scoring mechanism comprising a roller I! and a pair of scoring discs I 8 whereby creases are formed for facilitating the w folding in of the side flaps s of the blanks. From the scoring mechanism H, II the blanks pass onto a long high speed conveyor comprising a pair of belts l9 and beneath a relatively short opposed conveyor comprising a pair of belts 20. A series of rollers 2| carried by pivoted arms 22 rest by gravity upon the lower stretch of the conveyor 20 and serve to maintain the conveyors l9 and 20 in coacting relation throughout the active stretch of the latter. While the blanks are under the influence of the two conveyors referred to, they pass a gumming mechanism 23 which applies gum to the lower longitudinal margin of one of the side flaps. The gumming mechanism comprises a gum pot 24 and a roller 25 which runs therein and which stands substantially tangent to the plane of blank movement. A pendulously hanging block 25 of small mass stands in opposed relation to the roller 25, but as seen best in Figure 13, it does not present any surface which can under any circumstances contact the roller 25.

, The block 26 has a channel 21 formed in the lower face thereof which is wider than the roller 25 cluded.

and which is flanked by feet or flanges 23 for engaging the blank at opposite sides of the roller 25 to maintain the blank in engagement with the roller. With this arrangement good engagement of every blank with the roller 25 is assured, but

the possibility of gum being applied to the block 25 in the absence of a blank is absolutely pre- From the conveyor 20 the blanks pass to a side flap folding mechanism. This mechanism comprises upwardly inclined converging arms 29 which serve to turn the respective side flaps through approximately a quadrant. A pair of channel bars 30 overlie the belts of conveyor I9 and carry rollers 3| which ride upon the blanks and hold the blanks down against the conveyor I 3. The channel bars 30 have forming plates 32 extending forward from the ends thereof, and the folding of the side flaps is completed about these forming plates by means of a belt folder 33. This folder comprises a pair of belts which act on the respective flaps, the active stretches of the belts being twisted from substantially upright to horizontal positions. .At this operation the ungummed side flap is lapped over the gummecl margin of the other side flap and adhesively united to it, provision being made of center seam pressing rollers 34 and 34a.

In the continued travel of the blank along the conveyor IS, the blank as it nears the end of the conveyor passes beneath cooperating feeding rollers 35 to a cone turning mechanism 36 which turns the blanks through a right angle. The turning device is constructed and operates in the manner disclosed in my pending application Serial No. 548,791, filed July 6, 1931,for Envelope machine Briefly, the blanks are advanced with a side edge in alignment with the apexes of a pair of cones 31. The rollers are adjusted toward and from the cones to cause the conveyor l9 and the rollers to give up control of a blank just as it enters the grip of the cones. The cones are constantlyrotating, and after turning a blank, they give over control of it to a presser roll 38 and a cooperative conveyor belt 33. Associated with the conveyor belt 33 and overlapping it lengthwise of the machine is a feeder 40 comprising a pair of chains 4| having pusher fingers 42 mounted at regular intervals thereon. The chains 4| operate at a higher speed than the conveyor belt 33, so that as soon as a pair of fingers 42 comes into play, the blank is pushed forward faster than cated with the bottom flap folder.

it would be fed by the belt 39, the effect being to hold the blank against the pins 42. Since any inaccuracy in the delivery of the blanks to or from the cones would result in some skewing or disallgnment of the blanks, provision is made at this point, not only for straightening and accurately timing the blanks by means of the fingers 42, but also for accurately side aligning them. To this end provision is made of a side edge gage 43 which extends parallel to the path of travel of the chains 4|. The belt 39, on the other hand, extends obliquely to the travel of the chains 4|, and tends frictionally to urge the blanks toward the side edge gage. Said belt may be guided in any suitable manner to keep it on its pulleys. A bar 43a overlies the belt 39 and carries a series of balls 44 which press the blanks into engagement with the belt 39, but which do not prevent lateral slipping of the blank relative to the belt when the transverse movement of the blank has been arrested by engagement with the side edge gage. A bar 46 supports the belt 39 against the pressure of the balls 44.

From the chain conveyor 40 the blanks are delivered to a feeding couple 41, and thence to scoring means 48. The scoring means comprises a roller 49 and discs 50 for scoring the blanks along the fold lines between the blank body and the bottom and sealing flaps. From the scoring mechanism the blanks pass onto a long conveyor and beneath a short conveyor 52. The active stretches of the belts of the conveyor 5| are supported by bars 53. The active stretches of the belts of conveyor 52 are held down against the belts of conveyor 5| by rollers 54 carried by freely pivoted arms 55. While under the influence of the conveyors 5| and 52, each blank is carried past a gumming mechanism 56 for gumming the bottom flap b. The gumming mechanism comprises a gum pct 51, transfer rollers 58, 59 and 60, and a gum applying segment 6|.

From the gumming mechanism the blanks pass beneath channel bars 62 which carry rollers 63 that bear against the blanks for pressing them against the active stretches of the belts of conveyor 5|. At this point provision is made of upwardly inclined, forwardly converging folding arms 64 and 65 for folding the sealing and bottom flaps each through substantially a quadrant. The forward end of the bars 62 associated with the sealing flap folder carries a forming plate 65. No forming plate is carried by the arm 66 associ- The turning of the flaps is completed by a. belt folding mechanism 61 which may be similar in every way to the belt folding mechanism 33 already described. The manufacture of the envelopes is completed with this operation, and the envelopes are accordingly discharged onto a slow speed conveyor 68 which accumulates them.

- In Figure 12 disclosure is made of a modified form of mechanism substitutable in its entirety for the mechanism illustrated in Figure 10. In accordance with this embodiment, the blanks delivered by conveyor 8a around drum 9a, are deposited in fanned out condition in a chute 63. From this chute the blanks are taken one by one by a mechanism like that by which the blanks are taken from the stack on shelf 3. This comprises a roll HI and a cooperative roll 1|. The blanks are delivered by this mechanism onto a conveyor 12 comprising a pair of chains having pusher fingers I3 thereon. A blank deposited on the conveyor I2 rests also on a table 14, and does not advance until pushed forward by the fingers I3. Thus, the blanks are' accurately spaced out from one another, are straightened, and are accurately .timed. From the conveyor 12 the blanks pass between a feed segment 15a and a cooperative feed roller Ilia to a scoring mechanism Ila, I811, and thence to the mechanisms illustrated in Figures 8, 6, 4, andl.

I have described what I believe to be the best embodiment of my invention. I do not, however. wish to be be confined to the embodiment shown, but what I desire to cover by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a machine for making envelopes, in combination, a fan-out feeder, a fan-out gummer for gumming the sealing flaps of envelope blanks. a drier, all of said instrumentalities disposed in an outgoing stretch of the machine, and a return stretch comprising a spacing feeder, side flap gumming means, side flap folding means, means for turning the blanks, bottom flap gumming means and bottom flap folding means.

2. In a machine for making envelopes, in combination, a fan-out feeder, a fan-out gummer for gumming the sealing flaps of envelope blanks, a drier, all of said 'instrumentalities disposed in an outgoing stretch of the machine, and a return stretch comprising a spacing feeder, side flap gumming means, side flap folding means, means for turning the blanks, bottom flap gumming means, bottom flap folding means, and sealing flap folding means.

3. In a machine for making envelopes, in combination, means for feeding blanks at slow speed from a starting point through an outgoing stretch, and for returning them at high speed through a return stretch at a different level, means for gumming and drying the sealing flaps in the outgoing stretch, and mechanism in the return stretch comprising means for gumming the side flaps, means for folding the side flaps means for turning the envelopes, means for gumming the bottom flap, means for folding the bottom and means for folding the sealing flaps.

4. In an envelope making machine, in combination, a blank separator adapted to individualize blanks by withdrawing them one by one each for its full length from a group or stack by frictional engagement with the uppermost blank, means cooperative with said separator for then arranging the blanks in fanned out relation, means for gumming and drying the blanks while so fanned out, a second separator of the same kind as the first, means cooperative with the second separator for advancing the blanks in spaced relation, means for gumming the spaced out blanks and means for folding the spaced out blanks.

5. In an envelope making machine, in combination, a blank separator comprising a rotary element and a friction member carried thereby and adapted to individualize'blanks by removing one blank from a stack at each revolution, means cooperative with said separator for then arranging the blanks in fanned out relation, means for gumming and drying the blanks while so fanned out, a second separator of the same kind as the first, means cooperative with the second separator for advancing the blanks in spaced relation, means for gumming the spaced out blanks and means for folding the spaced out blanks.

6. The method of making containers, which consists in individualizing the blanks by withdrawing a single blank for its full length from a stack of such blanks so as to expose the next blank, collating the withdrawn blanks into overlapped relation, then gumming and drying the blanks in such overlapped relation and reindividualizing the blanks for further operation thereon.

7. The method of making containers, which crnsists in individualizing the blanks by withdrawing a single blank for its full length from a stack of such blanks so as to expose the next blank, collating the withdrawn blanks into overlapped relation, then gumming anddrying the blanks in such overlapped relation and re-individualizing the blanks for further operation thereon, by seizing in turn each of the overlapped blanks andpulling it out of its overlapping position at a definite instant with reference to the cycle of the machine irrespective of minor variations in the time at which the blank arrives at the re-individualizing station.

8. An envelope machine comprising means-for individualizing blanks by withdrawing a single blank for its full length from the stack of such blanks, means for collating the withdrawn blanks into overlapped relation with the seal margins of the blanks exposed, means for gumming the exposed margins of the blanks, means for drying the blanks in such relation. means for re-individualizing the blanks, and means for folding them into envelopes.

9. In an envelope machine, in combination, a fan-out gummer, a fan-out drier, means for in: dividualizing the envelope blanks delivered by the fan-out drier, means for folding the side flaps of the blanks, means for conveying the individualized blanks past the side flap folding means, means for turning the blanks, each through substantially a right angle, means for folding the bottom flaps of the blanks, and means for conveying the blanks past the bottom flap'folding means.

10. In an envelope machine, in combination,

a fan-out gummcr, a fan-out drier, means for individualizing the envelope blanks delivered by the fan-out drier, means for folding the side flaps of the blanks, means for conveying the individualized blanks past the side flap folding means, means for turning the blanks, each through substantially a right angle, means for folding the bottom flaps of the blanks, and means for conveying the blanks past the bottom flap folding means, said two conveying means being arranged to carry the blanks in the same straight path before and after turning.

ABRAHAM NOVICE. 

